After a cagey 120 minutes between two team playing not to lose, Argentina prevailed on penalties and will play Germany on Sunday at the famed Maracana.

Both sides employed cautionary tactics that effectively neutered the other team’s stars. Lionel Messi was crowded out of the middle by the Dutch midfield and the supply to the Netherlands’ dangerous strike duo of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie was cut off.

While a disappointing end, the Netherlands has to consider its run in this tournament a success after coming in with tempered expectations.

Argentina hasn’t hit its stride yet, but results matter most in tournament play and it is 90 minutes away from what would be the greatest result in the countries footballing history. If that is to happen, the Albiceleste will have to be better in the final third. The defense, which has long been considered the team’s weak point, has been Argentina’s saving grace, but they have yet to play a team with Germany’s talent on the ball.

Heading into the second half of extra time, and we’re seeing more of the same. Barring an moment of inspiration (which is certainly possible with guys like Messi, Robben and Aguero on the pitch) this game is likely heading to penalties.

Argentina needs Messi to bail them out once again

Alejandro Sabella needs to make an adjustment to create some space for Messi. He’s had to drop deep or out wide just to get a touch, and it looks like it’s wearing on the world’s best player.

Argentina fans singing Messi's name, trying to get him going. He looks tired, has his head down. Needs to get going.

The final whistle blows and we’re headed for extra time: Argentina 0-0 Netherlands

Both teams are playing not to lose, which has made for a rather uninteresting (although very tense) semi-final. The Dutch have yet to put a shot on target, and Argentina haven’t done much better. With the lottery of the penalty kicks looming, we could see the teams start pushing more for a win…hopefully.

Sergio Aguero is on for Gonzalo Higuain. Aguero is more capable of creating his own chances, something Argentina desperately needs at this point. The penalty box has been effectively shutdown by the Dutch backline, which has cutoff the service Higuain requires.

#ARG averaged 22.6 touches per game in the box in its first 5 games. They have only 4 touches in the box today. #NEDvsARG#WorldCup

Gonzalo Higuain found himself on the end of a cross and put it in the back of the net, but the flag was up and this game remains scoreless. The cross came from the right, which has been a trouble area for the Dutch all game.

It was long-shot that de Jong would even play in this game, much less finish it. He’s done an excellent job of marking Messi, but the Dutch need a little more on the ball, which Clasie will provide. The 22-year-old is making his debut in the competition.

22 – Louis van Gaal has now used 22 of his 23 men in this World Cup (only Michel Vorm hasn't played so far). Turnover.

The Dutch have had a good spell of possession over the first ten minutes of the second half, but Argentina’s midfield is forcing the Netherlands into horizontal passes and preventing any penetration or supply to Robben and van Persie. The Dutch are a little static at the moment, which is making things easier for the Argentine defense.

Half-time changes: Daryl Janmaat has come on for Martins Indii, who’s on a yellow. And Dirk Kuyt has switched flanks, which could force Argentina to defend more on that side and relieve some of the pressure from Argentina’s attack.

Van Gaal’s half-time adjustments have been brilliant thus far in the competition, as the Dutch have gotten better in the second 45 almost every match

#NED has scored 10 of its 12 goals after halftime at this #WorldCup including 8 after the 61st minute. #NEDvsARG

Clear chances have been hard to come by in the first half. Both teams have done a good job of neutralizing the other team’s threats. Messi, Robben and van Persie haven’t had a shot on goal from open play, and the closest chance either team has had was a Messi free kick that was easily saved.

Luis van Gaal has to find a way to get Arjen Robben involved. With Lavezzi showing up all over the field, the right side of the Argentine defense is vulnerable. The same can also be said for the Netherlands’ right side. Lavezzi is drifting over to combine with Messi and it’s overwhelming the Dutch in that zone.

Unlike the chaotic affair we saw yesterday, we’re looking at a tactical battle. Adjustments will be key in the second half. Whichever manager can pull the right strings will take their team to the final in Rio.
STATS:

Argentina

Netherlands

Shots (on goal)

2 (1)

1 (0)

Fouls

6

4

Possession

52 %

48 %

Not overly entertaining… but there's a WC final at stake. Can't really blame ARG + HOL for tactical, safety-first display.

A half-hour into the game, we are scoreless, but both teams look like they have goals in them today

Both teams have been dangerous down the right. If a goal is coming, it will likely come from that flank. Argentina has played well and is doing a good job of getting its danger men in good positions on the ball. The Dutch have to get Arjen Robben more involved.

Lavezzi is popping up all over the pitch and it’s giving the Dutch trouble

And we’re already starting to see an interesting battle on the right. Lavezzi has to get back to defend against Dutch wingback Dirk Kuyt, or Argentina’s left-back, Marcus rojo, will be overloaded with Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Kuyt coming into that zone.

Argentina fans out in full force; Brazil’s fans…not so much

Sao Paulo. First WC game I've been to without significant chunk of yellow shirts. Unsurprisingly.

Nigel de Jong’s inclusion in the starting XI is huge for the Netherlands. Without de Jong in the holding midfield role, it would have been difficult to track Lionel Messi, who will pop up in a number of spots between the defense and midfield. The Dutch have been man-marking in the midfield throughout the tournament, so expect de Jong to be tasked with following Messi around the pitch. It will be interesting to see how Messi deals with de Jong’s infamous aggression.

The key man for Argentina (besides Messi, of course) could be Ezequiel Lavezzi. The Paris Saint-Germain star will have to create some chances with Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero out with injuries. If he goes missing in this game, Messi will have to do it all on his own — that might not be enough against a good Dutch side.